Where to watch? Local establishments vying to be go-to home for FGCU-UF game

Florida forward Patric Young describes how well he knows FGCU and his surprise with the Eagles' success.

The Eagles - the first No. 15 seed to reach the Sweet Sixteen - will play the University of Florida at 9:57 p.m. Friday at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

The Florida Gulf Coast University's men's basketball team practiced for the first time at Cowboys Stadium on Thursday. The Eagles will play the University of Florida at 9:57 p.m. Friday in the NCAA tournament's Sweet 16.

Michel Fortier/Staff
FGCU held their first public practice at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas on Thursday March 28, 2013. FGCU will play the Florida Gators in the NCAA Men's basketball tournament Sweet 16 game on Friday night.

Caught up in Eagle fever but don't have a ticket to Texas? No problem.

For those not fortunate enough to travel to Arlington for Florida Gulf Coast University's big basketball game Friday night against the University of Florida, there are plenty of establishments vying to be the local gathering spot for fans.

But if you think you can walk in five minutes before tip-off and get a good seat, think again.

"Get here early. It's a later game, but get here early," said Tavern on the Bay general manager Mike Bono.

The following are running specials and events for Friday's game, which airs at 9:57 p.m. on TBS.

South Lee County

■ Germain Arena will host a free game watching party following the Everblades game against Orlando. The Everblades game starts at 7:30 p.m. The FGCU game will be shown on video boards in the main rink as well as at Breakaway's Sports Pub at the arena.

Breakaway's will offer half-price appetizers and happy hour drink specials during the game. Concession stands will remain open as well. In addition, all FGCU students can attend the Everblades game prior to the party for $5 with a student ID.

■ Bar Louie, 10035 Gulf Center Drive, Gulf Coast Town Center, is hosting a watch party for FGCU alumni. But you don't have to be an alum to enjoy its March Madness promotion with $2 domestic drafts.

Kitchen Manager Jacob Fowler said Bar Louie also has a $3 signature drink for Eagles fans. Called The Eagle, the drink is "bluish-green and tastes like a Sweet Tart."

The festivities include a buy one, get one free burger offer for any student, staff or alumni with a valid FGCU ID; hand-scooped vanilla milkshakes topped with blueberries and Key lime honoring the university's colors; "Guess the Score" prize-winning contests; a big screen TV for guests to watch the game live; and extended hours to accommodate the late game, General Manager Sean Rowland said.

From 10 a.m. Friday until 1 a.m. Saturday, Big Al's will give 10 percent off to customers showing Eagles spirit by wearing blue and green. If the Eagles win, Big Al's promises to offer the deal every game day that the Eagles are in the tournament.

The hotel will show the game on 11 TVs, including four by a fire pit. There will be happy hour drink prices all evening and a special drink, the Eagle Elixir. There will also be gator stew, Everglades nuggets and deep fried gator balls.

Fans can shoot hoops for drinks on the patio and the first person to guess the exact winner and final score of the game will win a weekend for two, including dinner for two and two tickets to FGCU's home opener in 2014.

■ And for those Gator fans out there, the University of Florida official alumni watch party is being held at the Fort Myers Country Club, 3591 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers.

Collier County

■ Boston Beer Garden, 2396 Immokalee Road, is hosting a watch party for FGCU alumni in North Naples. The restaurant has 64 TVs so that fans can see the game from anywhere in the restaurant.

■ Tavern on the Bay, 489 Bayfront Place, Naples, will host a Sweet 16 Showdown party for the game, complete with $5 screaming eagle shots and $7 gator bombs. Bono said the drinks will be the same colors as the team logos, blue and green for the Eagles and blue and orange for the Gators.

■ Waldorf Astoria Naples, 475, Seagate Drive, Naples, will show the game at the bar. Patrons will receive a "Dunk City" shot for every Eagles' slam dunk.

■ Pelican Larry's Pine Ridge, 1046 Pine Ridge Road, will be having a party tonight for the game with DJ Jason Paul playing before and after the game. Giveaways include free drinks and FGCU gear. Free draft, well or wine to any FGCU students or faculty.

■ Beacon Bowl, 5400 U.S. 41 N., North Naples, and Woodside Lanes, 8525 Radio Lane, East Naples, will hold watch parties inside their respective Nemo's Sports Cafe. Fans can visit either location's Facebook page to print a coupon for a free drink during the game.